Title: Selection of alternative routings in real time: DMM and modified DMM rules

Authors: Ahmed Hassam, Zaki Sari

Addresses: Tlemcen Automatic Control Laboratory, Aboubekr Belkaid University of Tlemcen, P.O. Box 230, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria. ' Tlemcen Automatic Control Laboratory, Aboubekr Belkaid University of Tlemcen, P.O. Box 230, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria

Abstract: The objective of this study is to test the effectiveness of the modified Dissimilarity Maximisation Method (modified DMM) for real-time Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMSs) scheduling. The modified DMM is an improvement over the DMM. It is a plan selection method for an alternative process that was developed for routing selection in real-time FMS scheduling. A computer simulation model, which mimics a physical system, is used to evaluate the effect of DMM and modified DMM rules on the system performance. The results show that the modified DMM outperforms DMM on system throughput in a saturation case and increases the utilisation rate of machines and the material-handling system.

Keywords: flexible manufacturing systems; alternative routings; real-time FMS control; dispatching rules; dissimilarity maximisation method; modified DMM rules; plan selection; computer simulation; system performance; saturation cases; utilisation rates; materials handling; production management; advanced production systems.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2010.029995

International Journal of Product Development, 2010 Vol.10 No.1/2/3, pp.241 - 258

Published online: 03 Dec 2009 *

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